You’re in this mess because of your own dumb mistakes!.Like a lawyer, he argues his points in your mind, saying: The enemy remembers every innocent mistake made along the way, and like a prosecutor or “adversary” (the Greek word antidikos), he comes to accuse you. Praise God, when we sin and do wrong, His grace is there to forgive and to restore us! But the devil is also there. Christians like to blame the devil for everything that happens, but the truth is, people usually help out the enemy a little along the way! Marriages get into trouble because the spouses never spend time together or do anything to nurture their relationships. Others get sick in the wintertime because they go outside without proper clothing. For instance, many people have money problems because they have spent too much money or used their credit cards way beyond the limit of what they could afford. It is unfortunate that many believers assist the devil in his efforts to prosecute them by being irresponsible or negligent in key areas of their lives.
If the devil is successful in his prosecution, he will persuade us to believe that we are unrighteous and unworthy and that we deserve as just punishment whatever difficulties he is throwing our way. The enemy drags up facts from the past and reminds us of our former failures then he vigorously tries to convince us that we deserve to be in the mess we are in. Peter is telling us that when the devil strikes, he often acts like a lawyer who tries to bring us down by prosecuting us with the facts of our past sins and mistakes. Now Peter uses this word to depict the way the devil may try to overtake us! This was the picture of a prosecutor who brought offenders to court, argued vehemently against them, and then sent them off to prison. This word was used in New Testament times for a lawyer who argued in a court of law. Peter goes on to say, “Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary.…” That word “adversary” is from the Greek word antidikos. Therefore, we must be constantly observant to keep the devil out of our affairs.
The fact that Peter uses the word gregoreo lets us know that the devil can be pretty sneaky in the way he attacks. This person has resolved that he will never let up in his pledge to be watchful, wide awake, and on the lookout to make sure some sinister force doesn’t successfully sneak up to attack and overtake him. That means this is not a one-time act of vigilance, but the attitude of a person who is unwavering in his commitment. The Greek tense for the word “vigilant” means to be continually, perpetually vigilant. This tells us that we must be on high alert against an enemy who is seeking to gain access to our lives. This word primarily denotes the watchful attitude of one who is on the lookout to make certain no enemy or aggressor can successfully gain entry into his life or place of residence. The word “vigilant” comes from the Greek word gregoreo, which means to be on your guard, to be watchful, or to be attentive. If you’ve ever heard these kinds of accusations from the devil, then First Peter 5:8 is just for you! It says, “Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Has the devil ever tried to use your past against you? Maybe he’s told you, “You’re in this mess because of your own actions! Don’t even try to ask God to help you because you got into this mess by yourself, and now you’re going to have to get out of it by yourself! God won’t help you, because you’re reaping exactly what you’ve sown!” Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
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